Principality Cup - Round 5 Preview

There should be play this Saturday in 14 of the 15 ties due for Round 5 with seemingly only the match between Carmarthen Quins and Brynmawr not taking place.

An about turn by Abertillery means that they will go to Aberavon in only the second meeting of the pair in Welsh Cup history, Aberavon having won away by 12-6 in a quarter-final of season 1974/75.

Oddly, there will be first-time cup meetings in 11 of the matches with only Llanharan and Tondu having met on more than one occasion - Tondu won away by 17-9 in 1992/93 and Llanharan winning away by 33-21 two seasons ago.

Rumney travel to Newbridge remembering they won 14-3 at home in 1999/2000, but former coach Mike Watkins now has several players who were in the Rumny side that day now playing for him at the Welfare Ground.

Treorchy, bottom of the league's Division One, entertain Glamorgan Wanders at the Oval having lost 22-12 away to the Cardiff-based club only two weeks ago in a league match. Their only previous cup meeting was in 1971/72 - the first season of cup rugby - when the Wanderers gained a home win by 16-9.

All the other matches are first-timers, but Blackwood-Cross Keys and Tredegar-Bedwas are repeats of Division One encounters already played this season when Cross Keys and Bedwas were victorious.
Likewise for the Hirwaun-Maesteg tie, with Maesteg having won the Division Two encounter by 43-17 on August 31.

Bonymaen will come up against the speedy unbeaten Division Two leaders Llangennech in what looks to be an attractive fxture at Parc Mawr while the Division One leaders Pontypool will be favourites at home to Cwmavon.

Clubs from outside the top three divisions will be battling to stay in with Penygraig at home to Narberth looking to be a tough encounter and the Nantymoel-Taffs Well clash means that at least one 'minnow' will survive.
In the final two matches it will be tough for the great cup-fighters from Pill Harriers, who make their first-ever trip to Church Bank to take on high-flying Llandovery, whil Banwen go West in search of glory at Whitland.

Having signed a national dual contract earlier in the week, Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones will be hoping for a double celebration by leading his country to second place in the NatWest 6 Nations when coming up against France in the final round.

George North inched closer to Shane Williams record of 22 tries in the Six Nations, his brace taking him to third on the list with Gareth Edwards (18) now in his sights. He looks back on a job well done by Wales.

Taulupe Faletau is looking forward to his first game as Wales captain where he will play alongside debutant James Davies in a fresh looking back row against Italy in the NatWest 6 Nations tomorrow afternoon in Cardiff

Head coach Warren Gatland has handed 'world-class' Taulupe Faletau the captaincy for Wales' clash against Italy on Sunday, and believes it is an opportunity for Wales to get even 'more out of him in terms of leadership qualities'

The Wales squad reported back into camp this morning ahead of Sunday's vital NatWest 6 Nations encounter against Italy. Assistant coach Neil Jenkins says the return of Taulupe Faletau is a big plus for the team.

Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde pays Ireland credit for their victory last Saturday in the NatWest 6 Nations but refuses to get bogged down with the result as there is a bigger picture to think about as well - the forthcoming Rugby World Cup.